Habitat Suitability for Reptiles in the Goravan Sands Sanctuary, Armenia
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
2006 |
Authors: |
Tigran L. Tadevosyan |
Publication/Journal: |
Herpetological Conservation and Biology |
Keywords: |
abundance, armenia, habitat suitability, interpolation maps, reptiles, species diversity |
Abstract:
The Goravan Sands Sanctuary is an important Armenian wildlife conservation area. The objectives of my study were to assess habitat suitability for reptiles within the sanctuary by comparing species richness, total abundance and species diversity across 35 random quadrats. I present the mean abundance of 5 reptiles: Phrynocephalus persicus, Eremais pleskei, Eremias strauchi, Lacerta strigata and Testudo graeca. Maps of the relatively uncommon lizard P. persicus reflect species richness patterns whereas maps of the most abundant lizard E. pleskei more accurately affect total reptile abundance and species diversity. About 71% of the area of the patches is covered with regions of high and moderate species diversity-suitable for reptile inhabitation. Fourteen percent of the area is covered with patches of low diversity. The moderate and highly suitable patches are recommended for intensive conservation management planning.